Report: Michael Porter Jr. Could Return Before End of NCAA Season

If doctors clear Michael Porter Jr. to return before the end of this season, the highly touted Missouri freshman says he intends to play.

Porter told reporters in Columbia on Friday that he is not worried about damaging his NBA draft stock by either showing rust or aggravating his back injury. The future lottery pick’s only concern is whether he can help Missouri return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years.

“If I could play today, I would play today,” Porter said. “I’m not worried about reinjury. I’m not really worried about the risk. What I’m worried about is if it’s good for our team if I come back. If it’s tournament time and they said I’m ready to go, is that the best thing for our team? We’re doing really well right now, and I think people lose sight of that.”

Porter Jr. has not played for Missouri since the opening two minutes of its season opener against Iowa State on Nov. 10. He underwent back surgery to repair damage to the L3-L4 spinal discs, a procedure that has a projected recovery time of 3 to 4 months.